Page 38 of Vapor

A wave of disgust washes over me as I take in the opulence of this place. The grandeur is suffocating, a stark reminder of the wealth built on the backs of enslaved men, women and children.

The front porch stretches wide, adorned with intricate wrought-iron railings that glisten ominously. Each detail, each embellishment, tells a story of suffering and exploitation, a history that taints every inch of this land.

Inside, Blue is essentially being held captive by her own father. The walls that once echoed with the laughter of the elite now imprison her. She’s a hostage in her own home. My heart aches at the thought of her confined within this place, surrounded by the ghosts of the past.

I take a deep breath, sucking in the humid night air. It’s thick with the scent of magnolias and decay. The weight of this place, its history, presses down on me, but I push it aside. I have to free her from this gilded cage, but how? Part of me wants to charge in there and just take her, but I know that would only start a war.

Footsteps sound on the gravel path behind me. I grab my gun from my cut and spin to confront the intruder.

When I spot his platinum hair and silver-blue eyes glistening in the darkness, I relax and shove my gun back in my cut.“Jesus, Ice. I almost fucking shot your dumb ass.”

“Mydumb ass?” Ice whispers.“What the fuck areyoudoing here?”

“Nothing. Watching.” I really don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I didn’t ride out with a plan, other than wanting to see her.

“What’s going on with you and her?” Ice asks.

“I’m worried.”

“About Blue?”

“Yeah.” I run my fingers through my hair.“Her father’s forcing her to marry Broussard.”

“No shit?”

“Shh! Keep it down.”

“And you’re going to stop the wedding?” Ice tilts his head to the side, studying me.

“Probably.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“Don’t know yet.”

“You need to stay away from her.”

“Why? She gave us good intel. We never would have known about those girls if Blue hadn’t tipped us off,” I say, impatiently.

“She might have info we can use, but she’s trouble. She’s way too high up the food chain to mess with. It’s not worth the risk.”

“Do you actually think I’m going to let a woman be forced into marriage by her father?” I ask.

“No.”

“Shit, is that her?”

“Where?”

“There!” He points to an upstairs window where a small shadow holds back a curtain. Before I can get a good look, the curtain falls back into place.

“Could be. I don’t know which room is hers.”

“You haven’t snuck in to bang her yet?” Ice asks sarcastically.

“Fuck you. Asshole.”

“It’s a valid question.” He smirks before his smile drops.“She just went down the stairs.”

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